Shattered Armada (POD, Black & White)

In the summer of 1936 Spain’s right-wing “Nationalists” rebelled against the democratically elected left-wing “Republicans.” Italy and Germany quickly backed the Fascist Nationalists, while the Soviet Union rallied behind the Communist-Socialist-Anarchist Republicans. England, with a reluctant France, desperately sought to keep the war from expanding.

Warships of all the major powers prowled the waters off Spain; at first to help evacuate the hundreds of refugees, then to pursue their own national interests. All the major powers poured weapons, and in some cases, volunteers into the conflict. “Pirate” submarines sank Russian ships bringing arms to the Republicans, while each country’s most advanced warplanes dueled overhead. One false step could have plunged the world into total war years earlier than when that doom finally did occur.

From the outset, the Spanish Civil War was a naval war. Political passions fanned the flames, but it was the thousands of tons of supplies that arrived by sea that fed the fire to keep it burning. Over 90% of the war materiel used in the Spanish Civil War came from outside Spain. Germany, England, Italy, Soviet Union, and France sent all manner of tanks, planes, bullets, bombs, guns, grain and even troops, all delivered by cargo ships. Of the score or more of battles fought at sea, most were related to protecting or attacking these critical sources of supply.

Shattered Armada introduces players to the unfamiliar tale of the Spanish Civil War at sea with 22 scenarios describing battles that actually did occur; “could have” battles with combatants who were close enough to fight, but never got to engage; “what if” battles drawn from war plans and commander's intentions; and one convention knock-down donnybrook that showcases the ultimate “uh oh” if chaos had been unleashed.

From convoys and shore batteries and minefields to battleships and gunboats, players will re-live the role of the Spanish Navy as it tears itself apart in a struggle between shipmates and contends with warships of the Great Powers as a 1930s war at sea reveals the fate of a Shattered Armada.